This is Not a Joke

Or is it? Check out the proposed organizational chart of the House Democrats' Health Care Plan. It includes the creation of 31 new government agencies that could potentially stand between you and your physician.

If you have 60 seconds, please watch this charming video about free candy.

Quinnism Goes Nautical

I overheard Quinn talking about "fishfood" he would like to try - like shrimp and lobster.

Switcheroo

I sent Quinn up the street to buy six ears of sweet corn. He returned 20 minutes later with rabbit treats from the pet store. He told me that all the corn was gone and he figured that he should spend the money on something.

I'm now understanding Jack and the Beanstalk from the perspective of Jack's mother.

How True

Was this really written in 1934?

Helicopter Ride

Mike and Quinn came home from feeding the pigs at the fair to tell me they went on a helicopter ride. Finally, it dawns on me that they took a ride in an actual helicopter. Only $20 each, I learn. I asked if they signed waivers? - no. Wore helmets? - no. Hearing protection? - no. Radio ear phones? - no.

Seat belts? "Of course," they tell me. Who would ride in a helicopter without wearing a seat belt?

Rachel negotiated for homemade ice cream instead.

County 4H Pig Show

The Rellims had a good day at the pig show. Yesterday's rabbit experience was not as positive, but today made up for it. Here are a few good photos.

Just Finished Reading

I knew I was going to cry, but I didn't think I'd cry for THOSE reasons! It was an easy read - unless you try to pronounce all the medical terms - and well worth the angst. Life is about choices, but God's plan trumps them all.

Not My Mom

I was reading www.allergicgirl.blogspot.com and found this as a comment to a recent post regarding how lackadaisical some people are regarding food allergies and overall food safety.

"Just recently my mom lost a cap on her tooth because she decided that the Mold&Mildew spray worked so well at getting rid of the stains in the bath, she'd spray it on her toothbrush to see if she could scrub the coffee stains off her teeth -- never mind that it's toxic. She survived fine, but the cap fell out two days later, and she finds that annoying but still doesn't seem to see the danger of putting bath spray in her mouth -- which just blows my mind."

If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough . . .

Pop

I remembered something about my grandfather's (We called him Pop.) funeral nearly 13 years ago. At the gravesite, the casket started to slide off the little platform thingy just before the ceremony. My grandmother (She goes by "Nan.") cried out, "Ooooh!" but the movement stopped and all was well. I chose to laugh, though I was mostly alone in that choice. But I knew that Pop would have thought it all to be very funny. I think their relationship was built mostly upon how much rise one could get out of the other. I consider that his final little jab.

Grandma

My grandma is now in a long-term care facility due to dementia. My father was visiting her one afternoon and was preparing to leave when she asked him to take her with him. My dad told her that he wasn't allowed to do that. As the story goes, my grandma grabbed his hand with both of hers and gasped, "They won't let you outta here either?!"

Laugh or cry, you have to smile.

Two Quotes to Ponder

1) "Life's tough......it's even tougher if you're stupid." -- John
Wayne

2) And as my friend's husband likes to say (with his southern accent):
"If you're gonna be dumb - you gotta be tough!"

He probably didn't understand the question.

At Quinn's physical for sixth grade, he was asked to fill out a fifty-question survey about his worries. He's not a kid prone to anxiety, but I did sneak a peek at his answers. The only item that caught my eye was a "moderate worry" in response to the question, "Do you worry about being in trouble with the law?"

I decided not to pry. After all, the questionnaire was confidential.

What?!

"We live in the greatest nation in the history of the world.
I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it." -- Barack Obama

Burning Question

As we were driving home from vacation Bible school, Quinn told me that he'd been thinking about something all day and just needed to know about it. I imagined that it must have something to do with Elijah or Jonah or some other prophet he had been learning about. How wrong I was. Here is his exact question:

"How do bugs make sex?"

Museum Time

Did I mention the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium? How about the expressions on these faces?

Rules

Not really broken, just bruised.

Sweet Shadow

Steep Trolley Ride

We actually rode this tiny trolley up and down this hill in Dubuque, Iowa.

Alpine Slide

It really was a great view and a fun little side trip near Galena, Illinois.

Summer Vacation

What did we do on our summer vacation? This is a picture that perfectly captures my feeling about taking a 2,000+ foot-long slide down a hill toward the Mississippi River on a plastic scooter before being stung by a couple bees, jumping off the ski lift and taking off my shirt in a portapotty.

Quinn Burped

Quinn burped loudly then said, "Yum! Tacos!"

I said, "Gross! When is the last time you ate tacos?!"

Quinn said, "I don't know. Who cares?!"

Happy Birthday, America!

My friend celebrated the Fourth by purchasing a new microwave. Her mother came to visit and baked a cake in the oven, but accidentally ran the microwave for 30 minutes instead of setting the microwave timer.

I wonder if there were any fireworks?

Paid Up - Sorta

Well, my sister, Jamie, did participate in a civil conversation for at least ten minutes with the relative of my choice. I even began the topic of conversation with a comment about the proposed volunteer army to guard our southern border. Unfortunately, I had not factored in the new boyfriend, who acted as buffer and novel eye candy; the talky-talky aunt, who steered the conversation back to herself; or the interesting cousin, who squeezed in a story about a white tiger she once saw in the basement of a tattoo parlor after being almost crushed by a Mack truck.

Thinking back on it - I'm saddened that we only have this reunion once a year. There's soooo much I don't know about people in my family tree. But, perhaps that's for the best.

Hearing Things

I realize I'm hypersensitive to noises when Mike is out of town and I do lock all the doors and windows before I go to bed. Tonight I was certain I heard the TV still on. I thought that was strange, so walked to the living room to switch it off.

It was off.

Still hearing a woman's voice, I walked to the back computer room to switch off the TV in that room.

It was off.

I then realized I was hearing the country music concert going on at the park.

So that proves I'm not crazy;)

Wager

My sister Jamie and I made a little bet this morning. The loser must sit near the relative of the winner's choice at the family reunion tomorrow and listen politely for ten minutes without interrupting or disagreeing.

I WON!

This is going to be sweeeeeeeet! Now I must determine a way to begin a topic of conversation that could be most controversial . . . Religion? We have Catholic, Protestant, Atheist and Budhist represented . . . Politics? We have liberal loons and crazy conservatives . . . Tattoos? Sex? The climate?

Basketball

My parents and I were waiting for Rachel's basketball game to begin. I turned to talk with my mom when she asked, "Are we supposed to be on the field? Your father's on the field. He just walked across the field to give Rachel a hug!"

My confusion turned to shock as I turned to watch my dad walk back across the court to sit next to me in the bleachers. Pretty sure he's always done stuff like that. I must just be more aware of social mores.